Abstract
Brain-Machine-Interfaces and mind controlled manipulators are no longer science fiction. It is time to go even further. The functionality of hand prosthesis and manipulators is limited by the availability of sensory information about features of grasped object and manipulative forces. Artificial sensors, which could match functionality of human tactile receptors, currently are not available. The aims of this study are: 1. Using neurophysiological knowledge about functional properties of human tactile afferents and use of sensory information in sensorimotor transformations during object manipulation acknowledge obstacles which have precluded engineers from developing highly efficient artificial sensors; 2. Define requirements crucial for building artificial tactile sensors mimicking biological prototype; 3. To test mechanical features and evaluate stimulus-response characteristics of unique mechanosensitive conductive rubber material developed by our material science team. Mechanosensitive conductive rubber was manufactured by blending polyisoprene caoutchouc with highly structured nano–size carbon black (Degussa Printex XE2), Cyclohexyl-Benzothiazole-Sulfenamide, zinc oxide and sulphur. Mechanosensitive conductive rubber demonstrated high sensitivity to deformation, feature stability across relevant environmental conditions and ability to respond to fast dynamic stimuli in the frequency range of up to 50 Hz, which matches features of biological type of receptors involved in signalling frictional information. Frictional information is the key parameter required to control grip forces during object manipulation. Our mechanosensitive conductive rubber demonstrated unique combination of features like sensitivity to deformation (bending and stretch) and softness which makes it exceptionally suitable for manufacturing artificial tactile sensors to be used in intelligent hand prosthesis and robotic manipulators.
Translated title of the contribution | Neuroscience and material science joins efforts to create a new type of artificial tactile sensors |
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Original language | Latvian |
Title of host publication | Mūsdienu Fizioloģijas Problēmas un Prakse : Zinātnisko Rakstu Krājums = Contemporary Problems and Practice in Physiology : Collection of Scientific Articles |
Editors | Gunita Praulīte, Juris I. Aivars, Ingvars Birznieks, Jānis Gedrovics |
Place of Publication | Latvia |
Publisher | Druk?tava |
Pages | 31-46 |
Number of pages | 16 |
ISBN (Print) | 9789934503047 |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Keywords
- tactile sensors
- mechanoreceptors